Cap having sweat band

ABSTRACT

A cap comprising a cap body having an elastic fabric patch provided in rear thereof, a visor extending from a front side of the cap body, and a sweat band provided along an inner lower periphery of the cap body having latex material. The sweat band includes a latex material and a fabric cloth covering an outer surface of the latex material between the inner lower periphery of the cap body and the latex material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a cap with a sweat band. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved cap whose sweat band reserves a substantially high friction coefficient to thus minimize its impression mark on a user's forehead while absorbing sweat from the user's head and forehead in a quick manner.

[0003] 2. Prior Art

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,007 discloses an expandable cap employing an elastic fabric. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,202 issued to Yan teaches a multi-axially stretchable fabric cap having a stretchable sweat band attached to the lower periphery of the cap. Yan teaches that the sweat band is comprised of a thin layer of foam material of synthetic origin covered with a stretchable fabric covering. Korean Patent No. 92-26367 discloses a cap with a twofold elastic sweat band where the band perimeter can be expanded, for example, from 60 centimeters to 66 centimeters. Korean Patent No. 95-8300 discloses a cap sweat band formed of an elastic fabric using polyurethane spandex material to provide a further elasticity thereof.

[0005] However, a disadvantage of such a conventional elastic fabric band for caps is that such caps when worn for a while, compresses the user's forehead to a degree causing discomfort and other compression related pain. As such, these caps are often not worn for prolonged periods of time. A further disadvantage is the relatively rough surface of the conventional elastic sweat bands in its expanded state when worn by a user. In such an expanded state of the bands, there is a high tendency to leave an impression onto the user's forehead which continues to be visible for a period of time even after the cap is taken off.

[0006] Also, the spandex fabricated sweat band shows a relatively poor sweat absorption characteristic. In addition, such sweat band also having an surface which restrains manufacturers from attaching labels or from printing a preferred design or product information such as trademark and quality control disclosure directly onto the sweat band surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is contrived to overcome the conventional disadvantages. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cap having a sweat band for a quick sweat absorption. Another object is to provide a cap having a sweat band where a comfortable cap wear is secured without leaving a band mark on a user's forehead. A further object of the present invention is to enable a manufacturer to attach labels and print product information on the band surface.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the cap according to the present invention comprises a cap body having an elastic fabric patch provided in rear thereof, a visor extending from a front side of the cap body, and a sweat band provided along an inner lower periphery of the cap body having latex material, wherein the sweat band includes a latex material and a fabric cloth covering an outer surface of the latex material between the inner lower periphery of the cap body and the latex material.

[0009] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the full understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a view showing a cap according to the present invention; and

[0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an isolated enlarged portion of the sweat band of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 is an enlarged isolated portion of the sweat band of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In accordance with the accompanying drawings, a cap according to the present invention will now be described.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cap body 10 includes an exterior surface 12 and an interior surface 15, and a circumferential inner lower periphery 17. A visor 20 is formed to extend from a front side 18 of the cap body 10, and a sweat band 30 is provided along the inner lower periphery 17 of the cap body 10. The sweat band 30 employs a band of latex material 31 in a sponge type that carries a relatively high sweat absorption characteristic. The band of latex material 31 has a top portion 35, bottom portion 37, outer side 39, and front side 40 extending around and throughout its entire length. The latex applied sweat band 30 further shows a softness on skin contact. Also, the surface of the latex material 31 can be printed thereon.

[0018] In this construction shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a fabric cloth 32 covers the outer side 39 of the latex material 31 so as to be placed between the inner lower periphery 17 of the cap body 10 and the latex material 31. The fabric cloth 32 is formed elastic and serves to outwardly release the sweat absorbed by the latex material 31. The fabric cloth 32 covers only a slight portion of the front side 40 of the latex material 31, thus exposing a significant portion of the front side 40 of the latex material 31.

[0019] The attachment of the latex material 31 and the elastic fabric cloth 32 may be accomplished using an adhesive or stitching with a stretchable thread. In this construction of the sweat band 30, the top portion 35, bottom portion 37, and outer side 39 of the latex material 31 are all covered by the fabric cloth 32 so that the significant portion of the front side 40 the latex material 31 remaining exposed can abut a user's head and forehead when worn. The fabric cloth 32 in this manner covers the latex material enough to limit expansion of the sweat band and thus prevent possible damage to or deformation of the band of latex material 31 from over expansion. At the same time, in this construction, the sweat absorbed by the band of latex material 31 spreads through the fabric cloth 32 and evaporates in a quick manner.

[0020] In an alternative construction of the sweat band 30 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, only a top portion 35 and bottom portion 37 of the band of latex material 31 is covered by an elastic fabric material. A first strip 45 of an elastic fabric material covers the top portion 35 of the band of latex material 31, and a second strip 47 of an elastic fabric material covers the bottom portion 37 of the latex material 31. In this construction of the alternative embodiment, both a portion of the front side 40 and outer side 39 of the band of latex material 31 is not covered and remains exposed throughout and around the entire length of the band of latex material 31.

[0021] As discussed above, the sweat band 30 of the present invention comprises the latex material 31 and the elastic fabric cloth 32 so that the elastic, soft surface of the band of latex material 31 allows the user to continuously wear the cap in comfort without feeling compression around the user's forehead.

[0022] Further, due to the relatively high friction coefficient of the band of latex material 31, the cap worn on the user's head remains relatively stabilized in windy days. Also, when the cap is taken off from the user's head, the conventionally common compression mark on the user's forehead does not occur. In addition, the sweat absorbed by the band of latex material 31 is instantly spread through the fabric cloth 32 and quickly evaporated. Furthermore, the band of latex material 31 is easy to handle and print thereon an additional design, trademark, and quality mark, thereby improving product reliability.

[0023] Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible by converting the aforementioned construction. Therefore, the scope of the invention shall not be limited by the specification specified above and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cap, comprising: a cap body having an outer surface, inner surface, and a lower periphery; a visor extending from a front side of the cap body; and a sweat band provided along an inner lower periphery of the cap body, wherein the sweat band includes a latex material and a fabric cloth covering an outer side of the latex material between the inner lower periphery of the cap body and the latex material.
 2. A cap, comprising: a cap body having an outer surface, inner surface, and a lower periphery; a visor extending from a front side of the cap body; and a sweat band provided along an inner lower periphery of the cap body having latex material, said sweat band comprising a band of elastic synthetic material having a top portion, bottom portion, front side, and outer side; a first strip of an elastic fabric material covering the top portion of said band of elastic synthetic material; and, a second strip of an elastic fabric material covering said bottom portion of said band of elastic synthetic material.
 3. The cap as described in claim 2 wherein said first strip and second strip are each stitched onto said band of elastic synthetic material with a stretchable thread.
 4. The cap as described in claim 2 wherein said band of elastic synthetic material is of latex material.
 5. A cap, comprising: a cap body having an outer surface, inner surface, and a lower periphery; a visor extending from a front side of the cap body; and a sweat band provided along a lower periphery of the cap body having latex material, said sweat band comprising a band of elastic synthetic material having a top portion, bottom portion, front side, and outer side; a first strip of an elastic fabric material covering at least the top portion of said band of elastic synthetic material; and, a second strip of an elastic fabric material covering at least said bottom portion of said band of elastic synthetic material.
 6. The cap as described in claim 5 wherein said first strip and second strip are each stitched onto said band of elastic synthetic material with a stretchable thread.
 7. The cap as described in claim 5 wherein said band of elastic synthetic material is of latex material. 